Australian Parliament Committee Formally Backs Taiwan Over China for Pacific Trade Pact

“The ball is in their court”

Chess pieces are seen in front of displayed China and Taiwan's flags in this illustration taken January 25, 2022. Dado Ruvic/Illustration Reuters

An Australian parliamentary body has called for Taiwan to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership over China, issuing an ultimatum to the communist regime to end coercive trade measures and re-establish engagement with Australia before it can enter the trade bloc.

Ted O’Brien, chair of the trade subcommittee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Trade, said Australia supported the expansion of the 11-nation Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to include Taiwan, South Korea, and the United Kingdom.